BMW’s latest EV recall affects nearly 71,000 vehicles due to a glitch that can shut off the drive motor. However the Steering and braking remain functional, but the risk of sudden power loss has raised serious safety concerns.
What’s the Issue?
BMW is recalling 70,852 electric vehicles in the U.S. following a NHTSA safety investigation (Campaign Number: 25V395000). The issue? A software bug in the electric drive motor that may mistakenly trigger a high-voltage system shutdown, cutting off power to the wheels.
According to the recall documents, the software can falsely detect a “double-isolation” fault, a condition meant to protect against electrical shorts. As a safety measure, this causes the vehicle to shut down its drive motor 15 to 20 seconds after displaying a warning, which is a huge safety concern if you are on a highway.
For more information about the matter, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
Which BMW Models Are Affected?
This recall includes multiple EVs across BMW’s i-lineup:
- 2022–2024 BMW i4
- 2025 i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40
- 2024 BMW i5
- 2023–2024 BMW i7
- 2022–2024 BMW iX
The total number of affected vehicles stands at 70,852, covering BMW’s flagship sedans and crossovers.
What’s the Fix?
BMW will fix the issue with a free software update—either over-the-air (OTA) or at a dealership. Owners don’t need to pay anything out-of-pocket.
Recall notices will start going out on August 5, 2025.
Concerned owners can also call BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417 or check their VIN on NHTSA.gov to see if their vehicle is affected.
Why This Is Happening
BMW says it first noticed odd reports of power shutdowns back in 2021, but there were too few cases to identify a pattern. Over time, and with about 40 warranty claims logged, engineers isolated the issue to false-positive fault detection in the high-voltage system’s fail-safe logic.
The glitch isn’t widespread—less than 1% of vehicles are expected to show symptoms—but the fix is necessary to prevent unexpected shutdowns from becoming a larger problem, says BMW.
Final Thoughts
This recall highlights the growing complexity of EV systems—and how even minor software logic can cause major disruptions to drivability.
As EVs continue to rely more heavily on software-defined architecture, automakers will face increasing pressure to ensure fail-safes are accurate and non-disruptive.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most accurate, latest updates or specific model configurations. Always consult official website/sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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